from the all-the-others-are-just-14-year-olds-in-their-basement dept

This is not wholly surprising, but after some debate and some half-hearted attempts at pretending they care about the public's privacy rights, the House has passed CISPA, 288 votes against 127. The vote breakdown did not go fully along party lines, though it was clearly Republican driven. 196 Republicans voted for it, while just 29 voted against it (despite numerous conservative groups coming out against the bill). The Democrats split down the middle. 92 Dems voted for it and 98 against. If you compare this to last year, it looks like a lot more Democrats went from opposing to being in favor of trampling your privacy rights. Last year, 140 Dems voted against CISPA and only 42 for it. Either way, this seems like a pretty bi-partisan decision to shaft the American public on their privacy rights. That said, there is still the threat of a Presidential veto (though, with the vote today, the House is close to being able to override a veto). The bigger question is now the Senate, which couldn't agree on a cybersecurity bill last year, and has shown no signs of improvement this year. If you want to protect your privacy, it's time to focus on the Senate, and make sure they know not to pass a privacy-destroying bill like CISPA.

288 of 'em. Every single one hates our privacy. There is no other explanation. Anyone who disagrees with Mike's personal view about CISPA hates our privacy. There is no middle ground! Either you agree with Mike or you hate America! Yeah!

You guys put out the cat signal and everything. Well, Mike didn't launch it on his site for some reason... Maybe that's why you guys failed. It's Mike's fault! Mike hates our privacy! He hates America (that's actually not a joke, since he really does). He hates us all!

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so, i wonder how many of that 288 will get voted back into office next election? knowing the way we forgive and ignore everything that is used to shaft us, probably 289!! i really wonder why the hell we are so fucking thick??

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It's because people don't actually follow their representatives' records and go on thinking that the rest of Congress is the problem. It's everyone else that's causing trouble not Sweet Lil' Senator Bobby Joe from down the street and Hometown Hero Representative Davie

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well thanks to this, we can go after you. You are liable to be libel by calling us douchebags. You should put, In My Opinion in the future. Luckily, it will be a piece of cake to track you down and get damages for you calling me a 'dishonest douchebag.'

Man, i just hope the pres doesn't veto, i am looking forward to nailing you.

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Nice of you to provide real facts, logic and reasons why CISPA is in fact a good thing, rather than simply calling someone a douchebag and completely discrediting any semblance of an argument you might have had.

I can't believe Mike let us all down like this. If only he'd launched that cat signal. All 288 members would have seen the light--literally. But as it is, all 288 hate our privacy. Anyone who disagrees is just wrong. Only Mike Masnick speaks the truth. He'd never lie or spread FUD or do anything bad. He is my idol.

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No not all 288 of them hate privacy. Some have been bought and paid for. Others do not understand what they are doing, a good number are probably old, a few years from death, and just don't care. Finally, at least a couple probably do hate privacy.

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so, i wonder how many of that 288 will get voted back into office next election? knowing the way we forgive and ignore everything that is used to shaft us, probably 289!!

This has never been a big issue to most voters so I don't think it will have much to do with who gets re-elected. Most voters are much more concerned about other issues and if they vote on the issues, the ones more important to them will sway their votes.

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Old people in the pocket of the special interests! All of 'em! Only Mike Masnick represents truth! Sure, he didn't launch the cat signal. But he could have! And "the internet" would have won the day! I am Techdirt! I never forgive. I never forget. I am "the internet."

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Does this bill also apply to data from foreign customers of us companies (or even foreign companies with data centers in the us) ? This is obviously a disaster for businesses as I can see them losing a lot of clients this way. Not to mention the outrageous impact on privacy and judicial safeguards. I don't know if I would trust any us based company or institution with any personal info now. It's overly broad spy bills like these which diminish respect for the law and destroy any confidence in government institutions and democratic decision making.
A victory for fear mongering and corrupt politics over rational thought and the rule of law. Sad.

Does this bill also apply to data from foreign customers of us companies (or even foreign companies with data centers in the us) ? This is obviously a disaster for businesses as I can see them losing a lot of clients this way. Not to mention the outrageous impact on privacy and judicial safeguards. I don't know if I would trust any us based company or institution with any personal info now. It's overly broad spy bills like these which diminish respect for the law and destroy any confidence in government institutions and democratic decision making.
A victory for fear mongering and corrupt politics over rational thought and the rule of law. Sad.

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Senator Feinstein Supports Full Immunity

Even if the White House threatens veto, it's possible Congress is going to shove this crap down our throats.

I just got an email from California Senator Diane Feinstein:

"As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I will shortly be introducing a bill on information sharing which allows sharing of cyber intrusion data with the government with full immunity. In this way we hope to encourage a major effort between the public and private sector to share data so that cyber intrusion can be prevented."

(emphasis added by me)

Holy crap. I swear these wealthy, corporate shill people need to be thrown out on their asses. FULL IMMUNITY.

Don't think Obama is "protecting your freedoms and privacy" by threatening to veto CISPA. He's more interested in protecting the government's butt in terms of the fine print and legalities are concerned when knocking down you're door and confiscating you're personal electronic devices.

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News flash, dear troll, pretty much the rest of the world hates the United States of America. With your obtuse and quite clearly insane Congress.
And since your Congress is supposed to represent 'The People'...

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Well, if an EXplosion causes massive support of CISPA, maybe well-placed implosions will counteract that support? I can check my pantry for some kind of cookware that can create a singularity to counteract the explosions.